193 the other half

     Its always hard to leave family however if plans go as expected we will be back in Arizona in a month and probably sharing this home with her.   Michelle shot a picture of us as we left this morning

    We only had one confirmed stop on our circle back to Hemet to visit our new prairie neighbor Karen in Arizona city.  She had purchased one of the trailers by the Pioneer club and we had gotten close in a short time.   We delayed our departure to allow the Phoenix workers to clear the free way.  A short 90 miles from Michelle's in Rio Verde to Arizona City put us there early afternoon.  Karen was busy at her part time job in the golf proshop.   What we assumed would be a casual evening of visiting and catching up was not on the agenda.  

Karen had reserved a table in the bar/grill/dancehall and we rested and enjoyed a beverage while she finished.  During  dinner at our table a small band set up on the stage.  A few of the older members at our table were unable to read the specials posted across the room.  Trying to be of assistance I took a picture and read it to the table.  Okay fine I couldn't read it either.  The music they played was enjoyable and easy to dance to.  No relaxing tonight, Ruthie was on a roll, old country, rock and roll they played it all.  From Coeur d' Arlene Idaho with a cowboy boot for tips this little troupe subsidized their winter travel by playing for the winter Arizonans.   They certainly had Ruthies approval and I have to admit I enjoyed them however perhaps a few tunes just sitting and listening wouldn't have hurt.  Although I tried my best to catch her she did fall on the dance floor once.  I think she said it was the floor or her shoes that caused her fall and that's the story she's sticking to.  We rested well in Karen's condo next to the golf course and the next morning thanking her for her wonderful hospitality we resumed our travel.
   A group of prehistoric replicas by a fuel stop at Gila Bend gave me an excuse to text Sterling  a picture that his comment during his dinner grace thanking God that the dinosaurs were gone was premature.
     Maybe we were anxious to get back to the ranch or perhaps the highway from Casa Grande to Yuma is boring.  What ever the reason Ruthie occupied her time taking some shots of the scenery and the long freight trains  that crossed the desert. 

    

     A motorcycle couple in Yuma had graciously accepted our request to spend the night.  John and Heidi are not ordinary motorcycle riders I will call them hard core riders riding the desert and Heidi is an Iron butt rider.  Iron butt riders cut their teeth on completing trips of 1000 miles or more in a 24 hour period.  Like long distance riders they get satisfaction of churning the miles away as they ride on their stripped down efficient steeds carrying extra fuel to avoid gas stops.  Pulling into a gas station and refueling while still in the saddle and roaring back onto the asphalt.  Pulling beverages and nutrition from their bike and eating while they ride.   The wheels have to keep turning or you are wasting time.  Rides to the 4 corners of the United States are quite common.    Ruthie and I once did 1160 miles in a 24 hour period once with 3 minutes to spare. 

     The next morning we were on the road early.  As we passed thru Yuma we were surprised that on many corners where a gas station once stood was now replaced by an ice and fresh water dispensing station.  We were told that the local water has a bitter alkaline taste and many choose to buy their water supply.
     Crossing into California highway 8 starts to climb and wind its way up the mountain and once we reached the peak it was downhill all the way to the center of San Diego, probably all the way to the ocean. 
        In motorcycling we call it a pre-ride, checking roads, detours, refreshment stops and sights.  The ride leader is responsible for their guests and we had visitors expected so we needed to check out some of the tour possibilities to make their trip enjoyable.   Today we checked out several possibilities before heading back to the ranch. 
   Carrillo monument overlooking the San Diego bay was impressive however due to having to bring our guests thru the heart of the city excluded it from our travel plans.  The road to the monument was lined on both sides by a military cemetery.  Thank all of them for their service and sacrifice. 

     Completing the second half of our 2014 mile circle we arrived back at the ranch later that evening.    It was February 2nd and our first guests would be arriving tomorrow.